5 Must-See Eurovision Films to Stream Before the Big Final

Following a year of anticipation, the Eurovision The Grand Final is nearly here – 26 nations have now secured their spots for the main event on Saturday, May 17.

The famous singing competition is returning for yet another year, and this edition will be hosted by the champions from the previous year. Switzerland who were embodied by vocalist Nemo.

Taking place in Basel for 2025, the Eurovision party has already started with both semi-finals now done and dusted, with the final line-up settled.

Representing the United Kingdom are the vocal group Remember Monday And their track "What the Hell Just Happened?" performed exceptionally well during a rehearsal run-through at Thursday’s semi-final.

To set the stage for all the spectacle and shows, here are five Eurovision-inspired movies to kick off your weekend as you gear up for the Grand Finale.

If you begin watching them on Saturday morning, you ought to complete the final episode right before the BBC’s broadcast kicks off, led by Graham Norton.

Eurovision Song Contest: The Tale of Fire Saga (2020)

Released in June 2020 on Netflix, Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga stars Will Ferrell and Rachel McAdams as Icelandic Eurovision hopefuls.

In the quaint fishing village of Husavik, located along Iceland's north shore, Will’s character Lars and Rachel’s character Sigrit embark on a trip to Edinburgh for their participation.

The movie is most notably recalled for Lars and Sigrit’s risqué silly tune "Ja Ja Ding Dong," though this isn't actually what they sing in the competition.

Although the movie garnered a somewhat indifferent response from critics – it holds a Rotten Tomatoes score of 63% – Eurovision enthusiasts revisit it annually.

The Story of Fire Saga includes appearances from prominent Eurovision artists through the years, such as Sweden’s two-time champion Loreen, Israel’s winning artist Netta from 2018, and Ukraine’s victor Jamala from 2016.

After meeting his Swedish spouse Viveka Paulin in 1999, Will grew fond of the Eurovision Song Contest. This happened roughly 25 years following ABBA’s legendary victory in the event.

View "Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga" on Netflix.

Souvenir (2016)

Launched in 2016 and helmed by Bavo Defurne, the French movie Souvenir revolves around an imaginary obscure singer who previously represented France at the Eurovision Song Contest.

The movie features renowned French actress Isabelle Huppert, known for her roles in films such as The Piano Teacher, Amour, Elle, Greta, and Mrs Harris Goes to Paris.

She has received three Baftas, a Golden Globe, and was nominated for an Academy Award after appearing in Paul Verhoeven’s 2016 movie Elle.

In "Souvenir," we follow Liliane, one of Isabelle’s characters, as she encounters an ambitious young boxer and they fall for each other. This leads Liliane to attempt making a return to the music business.

Oddly enough, the movie had a Christmas premiere in France, approximately five months ahead of the typical timing for the annual Eurovision Song Contest.

Critics were similarly lukewarm on Souvenir as they were on The Story of Fire Saga, with the film’s Rotten Tomatoes rating currently sitting at 52%, however, the site’s top critics see its rating jump to 64%.

Watch Souvenir on Apple TV or Amazon Prime Video.

A Song Named Hate (2020)

The lead-up to the 2019 Eurovision Song Contest Grand Final faced backlash due to controversies, prompting calls from some quarters urging others to skip the event.

Israel held the competition that year following Netta's victory in 2018 with her hit "Toy," and pro-Palestinian demonstrators organized protests throughout the preliminary stages.

At the center of this dispute was the Icelandic band Hatari, renowned for their largely leftist beliefs and strikingly provocative live performances.

A Song Called Hate" tracks the journey of Hatari’s members as they grapple with the choice between completely avoiding Eurovision or utilizing the platform to disseminate their ideologies throughout Europe.

On Letterboxd, user Oliver contrasted it with The Story of Fire Saga, stating: “Among the films from 2020 that depict Iceland’s involvement in the Eurovision Song Contest, this one stood out as much better.”

Warning for spoilers: Hatari played their track 'Hatrið mun sigra' (Hatred Will Prevail), ultimately securing the third place spot that year, impressing audiences with their powerful performance.

View A Song Called Hate on OutTV through Amazon Prime Video.

Monsterman (2014)

In 2006, the Nordic nations once again shone brightly at Eurovision, as Finland's hard rock group Lordi dominated Europe with their track "Hard Rock Hallelujah."

Dressed in freakish costumes, Lordi played their hearts out and stormed to victory, finishing almost 50 points ahead of runners-up Russia in the Grand Final and landing Finland’s first Eurovision title.

Hard Rock Hallelujah guaranteed an 'apocalypse of rock' and a 'rock-ening hour,' which is precisely what Europe experienced as the track ended up ranking in 13 different European nations following the contest's end.

Eight years after Lordi's victory, "Monsterman" recounted a distinct narrative about Tomi Putaansuu, the lead singer of Lordi, who is more widely recognized by his stage name, Mr Lordi.

The synopsis of the movie indicates that "Monsterman" is a film centered around Mr. Lordi, the creature from Lapland, who, following his victory at the Eurovision Song Contest, ends up losing nearly everything he had.

The film tracks the journey of a band that has reached the pinnacle of success (or at least topped a continent) and now finds themselves with nowhere else to head but down.

View Monsterman on Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV.

Sounds Like Teen Spirit (2008)

Soundtracks of Adolescence - also known as 'Soundtracks of Adolescence: A Popumentary' - is a documentary focused on the Junior Eurovision Song Contest.

Every year since 2003, Junior Eurovision has been held in either November or December – currently, Georgia holds the title of champion following their contestant Andria Putkaradze’s victory in 2024.

In the fourth year of the competition's existence, acclaimed director Jay Johnson, who had been nominated for a Bafta award, chose to document the journeys of the aspiring singers participating in the 2007 event.

Particularly highlighting the situations in Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, and Georgia, "Sounds Like Tike Teen Spirit" received acclaim from reviewers.

In 2007, the top honors went to Belarus. The winning artist was singer Alexey Zhigalkovich, who claimed first place with his track titled "S Druz'yami," meaning "With Friends."

The movie presently boasts an 87% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, which makes it stand out as the most highly regarded film in this collection. Additionally, it has received accolades in both France and Denmark.

View "Teen Spirit" on Apple TV.

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